East is east

Speaking of markets, you might want to have a look at Huntingdonshire's new historic market towns guide.   The guide features the district's historic towns of Godmanchester, Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, & Ramsey, & includes major attractions such as historical houses, country parks, & sites of special scientific interest.  

The River Great Ouse, one of the country's longest navigable rivers, is the area's main attraction.   St Neots, Huntingdon, Godmanchester, & St Ives nestle on the banks of the river, & offer scenic surroundings, historical attractions, & quality restaurants.  

Free copies of the guide are available from the tourist information centres in Huntingdon & St Neots.   As well as covering the history & heritage of the towns, the pocket-sized guide includes places to see & things to do, a town map, & details of regular market days & events.   Call 01480 388588 or 01480 388788 for your copy.

When it comes to heritage towns, Suffolk's a good prospect.   There's Ipswich, purportedly the oldest continually inhabited town in England; Bury St Edmunds, home to the UK's smallest pub; & Lavenham with its crooked, half-timbered buildings, including the 500-year-old Little Hall & Guildhall.  

For a free copy of the Choose Suffolk short breaks brochure call 08700 770 881 or visit www.choosesuffolk.com.

Alcohol was prohibited, no talking was allowed after 11pm, & the highlight of the week was a Sunday afternoon lecture on the labour movement.   Welcome to the UK's first family holiday camp which opened in 1906 at Caister in Norfolk.   Now one of Haven Holidays' most popular spots for groups, Caister celebrates its centenary this year.   It began as Dodd's Socialist Holiday Camp, founded by political activist John Fletcher Dodd who was keen to promote his socialist ideals by offering holidays to working men of East London.   With a fabulous location directly on the beach, the camp was soon attracting up to 1000 visitors a week.   

Today Caister offers a range of facilities for groups, including heated pools, leisure activities, & live entertainment every evening.   Accommodation is in comfortable self-catered holiday homes, & if you prefer not to cook while on your hols, there's also half-board accommodation.   Group prices start from £69 for a spring break, & if you book 10 or more accommodations in June, you'll get a free holiday this autumn.   Call for more details on 0870 242 1111 or visit www.havengroups.co.uk.